Trees and lesser vegetation naturally grouped on the basis of environmental factors and their ability to compete.

1. An easement designed to preserve and protect open space or important natural areas.
2. A legal agreement between a landowner and either a land trust or government entity that restricts land use and development on a parcel of real property so as to preserve and protect its conservation and natural resource values.

Diameter of a tree bole measured at a height of 4.5 feet (4.5'; 4.5 ft). Usually recorded in inches (in) or centimeters (cm).

For area measurements, square units refers to total area, while units square refers to the number of units on each side (the length of each side of a square). For example, consider two square pieces of land: one is 7 square miles, and the other is 7 miles square. The total area of the first parcel is 7 square miles. Since the parcel is a square, the length of each side is equal to the square root of 7 square miles, which is approximately 2.65 miles. In contrast, the length of each side of the second parcel is 7 miles, according to the definition above. The total area is therefore 7 miles x 7 miles = 49 square miles.

1. Variation in the physical characteristics of ecosystems across a landscape caused by variation in soil, slope, aspect, elevation, climate, and geology, and the accompanying variation in biotic communities. Also known as ecological or biological diversity.

The area of land drained by a river and its tributaries. Includes both surface runoff and groundwater flows.

A depression in the earth formed from running water from rain or winter thaw.

The interface or transition zone between two ecosystems that differ in overall species composition, plant communities, structure, and function of key processes. These areas are often characterized by a higher degree of species diversity than either of the two adjoining ecosystems alone.

A usually metal chain used to measure length and distance. Less commonly used in land surveys than a Gunter's or surveyor's chain, the engineer's or Ramsden's chain is 100 feet in length, with 100 1-foot links. The terms "engineer's chain" and "Ramsden's chain" apply primarily to the measuring utensil itself and not to any particular unit of length.

The process by which water from land, bodies of water, or other surfaces reverts to gaseous form and returns to the atmosphere.

Plural form of foot (ft). A foot is a unit of length equal to 12 inches, taken from the average length of the human foot. One (1) foot is equal to 0.3048 meters. See also Foot (feet) equivalents and conversions and the various Converting feet to... entries.

The historic natural or man-made fire patterns in a given area; the frequency, intensity, severity, and distribution of historic fires, especially wildfires.

One (1) foot is equal to 12 inches.
One (1) foot is equal to 0.3048 meters.
One (1) foot is equal to 30.48 centimeters.
One (1) foot is equal to 0.0152 chains.
One (1) foot is equal to 0.0015 furlongs.
One (1) foot is equal to 0.0003 kilometers.
One (1) foot is equal to 1.5152 links.
One (1) foot is equal to 0.00019 miles.
One (1) foot is equal to 0.0606 rods, poles, or perches.
One (1) foot is equal to 0.3333 yards.
See the various Converting feet to... entries for conversion examples.

(Plural: feet) A unit of length equal to 12 inches, taken from the average length of the human foot. One (1) foot is equal to 0.3048 meters. See also Foot (feet) equivalents and conversions and the various Converting feet to... entries.

See "US Forest Service"

A unit of length equal to 220 yards, 40 poles, rods, or perches, or ten (10) chains. The term is derived from the phrase "furrow long", or the distance oxen can plow before they are rested. See also Furlong equivalents and conversions and the various Converting furlongs to... entries.

One (1) furlong is equal to 660 feet.
One (1) furlong is equal to 201.168 meters.
One (1) furlong is equal to 1,000 links.
One (1) furlong is equal to 40 rods, poles, or perches.
One (1) furlong is equal to ten (10) chains.
One (1) furlong is equal to 0.125 miles.
One (1) furlong is equal to 0.2012 kilometers.
One (1) furlong is equal to 220 yards.
One (1) furlong is equal to 7,920 inches.
One (1) furlong is equal to 20,116.8 centimeters.

A deep ditch or channel cut in the earth by running water usually from rain or winter thaw.

A common forestry and land survey term that is equivalent to 66 linear feet. Often referred to as simply "chain", this term is more formally known as the Gunter's or surveyor's chain. A chain is broken into 100 equal parts, or links. One (1) mile is equal to 80 chains. A one (1) mile square piece of land (one section or 640 acres) is 80 chains on each side. Although an engineer's or Ramsden's chain is also used to measure length in surveys, the generic term "chain" when used in reference to land measurements refers to the unit of length (66 feet) represented by the Gunter's or surveyor's chain. For more chain conversions, equivalents, and examples, see Chain equivalents and conversions or the various Converting chains to... examples.

The locality in which an organism lives; the physical environment that will support a plant or animal in the absence of disturbance.

Common area measurement(square measure) of the metric system, used in most countries of the world. One (1) hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters, 0.01 square kilometers, or 2.471 acres.

One (1) hectare is equal to 10,000 square meters. One (1) hectare is equal to 0.01 square kilometers. One (1) hectare is equal to 2.471 acres. One (1) hectare is equal to 107,639.104 square feet. One (1) hectare is equal to 11,959.9 square yards. One (1) hectare is equal to 395.367 square rods, poles, or perches. One (1) hectare is equal to 24.71 square chains. One (1) hectare is equal to 9.88 roods. One (1) hectare is equal to 2.925 arpents. One (1) hectare is equal to 0.0039 square miles or sections. One (1) hectare is equal to 0.0001 townships.

Different or dissimilar in structure, function, composition, quality, or origin.

An explanation for natural or other phenomena, developed using abductive reasoning following observation (the scientific method). The hypothesis is tested through the use of designed experiments, and shown to be either valid or invalid. If the original research hypothesis is deemed invalid, a new hypothesis must be developed, often based on further ovservation as well as the results from the previous experiment(s).

A body of water, such as a pond, lake, tank, or reservoir, that is confined within a human-built enclosure.